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The Crossing finds a Nappanee home

NAPPANEE — It’s official —The Crossing alternative school now has a home in Nappanee after action taken by the city’s Board of Public Works and Safety Monday afternoon.

Cory Martin from The Crossing appeared before the board Monday afternoon and answered questions they had concerning the school prior to entering into a rental agreement for using the second floor classrooms at Main Street Suites (former Central School building).

Martin made a presentation to the City Council May 16 explaining The Crossing is drop-out prevention and recovery school with a staff that concentrates on developing relationships with the students to help them succeed.

The Crossing has entered into an agreement with Wa-Nee Schools and is currently recruiting students. Martin said their agreement is for a minimum of 25 students.

“In order for the program to be viable and to pay staff, we need to have a minimum of 25 students,” he said.

He told board members that they are a year-round school with two three-week breaks and two five-week breaks. They plan to start July 25.

Mayor Larry Thompson explained that The Crossing will use three classrooms that are unfinished for the rental cost of one — $500 a month.

Board member Rod Stump expressed concern about the fact that Elder Haus Senior Center is on the main floor and how the school would affect that. Martin told him that their staff to student ratio is on average 1:5 so there would be more supervision. He also said that they encourage service learning project — at one location the students visit a nursing home weekly. Martin felt that the Elder Haus could be a convenient service learning project for the students.

“The Crossing is very good at giving back to the community,” he said.

Mayor Thompson abstained from voting as he is on the local board for The Crossing.